RU2724382C1 - Roller skis - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: sports.SUBSTANCE: roller skis are proposed, comprising each chassis on wheels arranged on front and rear wheel axles, and platform with leg fixture mounted on chassis with possibility of swinging forward and backward on hinge arranged between wheel axes, wherein said fastener can be locked on user foot platform while platform is coupled with brake to brake rear axle. For softer swinging platform can be equipped with damping facilities.EFFECT: at least one of the wheels can comprise a ratchet mechanism preventing backward rotation of said wheel.7 cl, 5 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to ski-rollers, and more particularly, to ski-rollers for outdoor activities, preferably for use by the elderly or those who suffer from disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

State of the art

Modern ski scooters usually contain a chassis on wheels located on the front and rear wheel axles. On the chassis between the wheel axles, a foot mount is equipped. Maintaining balance on ski rollers is generally more difficult than skiing, as the rolling resistance of the wheels of ski rollers on a flat surface is less than the sliding resistance of skis in the snow, and the center of gravity of the skiers rolling on ski rollers is higher than the center of gravity of the skier. In addition, most models of skis are not equipped with brakes.

So that it’s convenient to ride a ski roller skier with a classic ski course, i.e. taking wide steps, pushing back, and not to the side and back, as when riding in a skating course, their wheels are usually equipped with a ratchet mechanism that prevents the wheel from turning backward. In addition, ski-roller mounts are made similar to ski mounts, that is, they fasten the toe of the boot, while the heel remains free and can be lifted when repelled. In this case, however, the foot rests only on the metatarsals and phalanges of the toes and is strongly bent in the region of the metatarsophalangeal joints, which leads to an increased load on these joints, especially on the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Meanwhile, this joint in the elderly is often damaged by arthrosis or arthritis.

For these reasons, ski scooters are mainly used for training and fitness by athletes and people in good physical shape, and, accordingly, are practically not used for outdoor activities by elderly people or those who suffer from disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Known ski rollers containing a chassis on wheels mounted on the front and rear wheel axles, and mounted on the chassis platform with a mount that provides fixation on the platform of the user's foot (see US patent No. 5901981 from 05/11/1999). Skiers are equipped with a hand brake, the handle of which is connected by a cable to a brake shoe, made with the possibility of braking the rear wheel axle.

Due to the fact that the entire user's foot is fixed on the platform, bending of the foot and increased load on the metatarsophalangeal joints are prevented. However, for the same reason, it is inconvenient to use classic skiing on such ski scooters. Further, due to the long loose cable of the hand brake, it is inconvenient to handle ski rollers, and the need to hold the hand brake handle while riding creates inconvenience when using ski rollers.

Ski rollers are also known, containing a chassis on wheels mounted on the front and rear wheel axles, and a flexible platform with a foot mount mounted on the chassis cantilever, the mount being able to be fixed on the platform of the user's foot, and the platform is connected to a brake configured to braking of the rear wheel axle (see US patent No. 6082768 from 4.07.2000). The brake comprises a linkage associated with both the platform and the user's ankle. For braking, it is necessary to extend one leg forward, so that the ankle of that leg bends back and activates the brake, as shown in FIG. 5 of US patent No. 6082768.

Thanks to the flexible platform, the user has the ability to lift the heel with the platform, moving it away from the chassis while riding. Thus, bending of the foot and increased load on the metatarsophalangeal joints are prevented. However, due to the large variable loads acting on the flexible platform, there is a possibility of fatigue wear of the platform material, which can lead to its breakdown. Further, when mounting the roller skis on the user’s leg, it is necessary to additionally install the braking mechanism of the brake system on the ankle, which is inconvenient. In addition, as can be seen from the above drawing (figure 5), you can brake only with one foot, which creates difficulties from the point of view of maintaining balance during braking. Maintaining balance can be difficult even when the user just stands on the roller skis without moving or rolls forward on a slope. For example, if such a user loses balance and swings forward, the platform will begin to bend, and the user, not finding support, will continue to fall. With a further fall, the platform may break, and the user may be hit and injured. If a user who is standing motionless or rolling forward loses his balance and swings back, skis can ride or continue moving forward, and the user, not finding support, will continue to fall, as the brake does not work immediately, but only when the user's ankle deviates back. But at this point, the user can finally lose balance and fall.

The objective of the invention is the creation of ski rollers, providing the ability for the user to move the classic ski course, and at the same time possessing increased stability, and, accordingly, reduced risk of injury. In addition, the object of the invention is the creation of ski rollers, when riding on which bending of the foot and increased load on the metatarsophalangeal joints are prevented.

Disclosure of the invention

The objective of the invention is solved due to the fact that in ski scooters containing each chassis on wheels mounted on the front and rear wheel axles, and a platform mounted on the chassis, which is equipped with a leg mount made with the possibility of fixing the entire user's foot on this platform, and is associated with a brake made with the possibility of braking the rear wheel axle, the platform itself is installed with the possibility of swinging forward and backward on a hinge located between the wheel axles.

In the context of this description, the expression "swing forward" means a swing in which the front of the platform lowers and the rear of the platform rises. Accordingly, the expression "swing back" means a swing in which the front of the platform rises up and the rear of the platform falls down.

Due to the fact that the platform is mounted on a hinge with the ability to swing forward and backward, it is possible to use classic skiing on ski scooters, i.e. roll forward, taking wide steps. So, when making a step of the foot of the retracted pushing leg, it is tilted forward on the hinge. Thus, the turn of the foot necessary for walking is performed not on the metatarsophalangeal joint, but on the hinge, which prevents bending of the foot and increased load on the metatarsophalangeal joints.

In the proposed roller skis, the brake serves not only to stop when riding, but also to maintain balance. For example, if a user who is standing motionless loses his balance and swings back, the platform will hinge back and apply the brake, so that the skis cannot ride forward. If the user loses balance and swings back while driving, the applied brake will create an inertia force directed forward and restore the user's balance. Thus, the user will receive support, and his fall back will be prevented.

If the user loses balance and swings forward, the platform will swivel forward and abut against the surface of the chassis, creating support for the toe of the user's foot, while the rigidly fixed heel will allow him to restore balance.

In modern ski scooters, one wheel is usually installed on the front and rear wheel axles. In the proposed ski rollers, for additional stability, the chassis can be mounted on four wheels like a trolley. In other words, the number of wheels on the rear wheel axle can be equal to two, and the number of wheels on the front wheel axle can be equal to two. However, other combinations are possible that are obvious to a person skilled in the art, for example, there can be one wheel on the front wheel axle and two on the rear axle, or vice versa.

The platform may be provided with damping means, for example, spring-loaded. For this, for example, one spring can be installed on the chassis under the front of the platform, and another spring under its rear. However, there are other options for damping the platform, obvious to a specialist. For example, under the front and rear parts of the platform can be installed not springs, but hydraulic shock absorbers. It is also possible that the spring is integrated in the hinge. Damping means are used for a softer swing, as well as in order to create a force when tilting the platform, returning it to a horizontal position.

For more effective repulsion, at least one of the wheels may include a ratchet mechanism to prevent the wheel from rotating backward.

Like regular skis, skis can be equipped with hand poles for pushing away.

In the proposed ski rollers, the wheels can extend laterally beyond the chassis. In order to prevent roller skis from catching each other while riding, it is possible to implement ski scooters in which the wheels are recessed into the chassis, as is obvious to a specialist. And in that, and in another case, the wheels can be closed with a smooth fence, preventing the contact or engagement of the wheels of the ski rollers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is further described by the example of its implementation with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 depicts a schematic side view of the proposed ski roller.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic top view of a proposed ski roller.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic front view of the proposed ski roller (springs 14 and 15 are not shown for clarity).

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic side view of the proposed ski roller in a braking condition.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic view of the proposed ski roller with smooth fences 17 extending around the perimeter.

The implementation of the invention

In FIG. 1-3 is a schematic side view of one skier from a pair of skis. The skier contains a chassis 1 formed by a metal plate 2 mounted on wheels like a trolley. More specifically, a front wheel axle 3 and a rear wheel axle 4 are attached to the chassis plate 2, two front wheels 5 are mounted on the axle 3, and two rear wheels 6 are mounted on the axle 4. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the chassis does not have to contain metal the plate. For example, a variant is possible in which the chassis is made using a metal profile, for example a channel, etc. It is also possible to make the chassis of non-metallic materials that provide low weight and high strength, such as carbon fiber.

Between the wheel axles in the middle part of the plate 2 there is a hinge 7 on which a platform 8 is mounted, equipped with a foot mount, which is not shown in the drawings for clarity. The mount provides fixation on the platform of the 8th foot of the user. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that such a fixation can be implemented by a mount similar to that used for alpine skiing, or, for example, a mount presented in the aforementioned US Patent No. 5,901,981. Platform 8, like the chassis, may contain a metal plate or may can be made using a metal profile or can be made of non-metallic materials that provide low weight and high strength, such as carbon fiber.

More specifically, the hinge 7 includes a lower eye 9, which is mounted on the chassis and protrudes upward from it and the opening 10 of which extends in the transverse direction. A pivot pin 11 is inserted into the hole 10 of the eye 9, which is also inserted into the hole of the transverse upper eye 12, which is attached from below to the platform 8, so that the platform 8 can swing back and forth. To place the upper eye in the lower eye, a recess 13 is made (Fig. 3).

In this example, the platform 8 is equipped with damping means, namely, spring-loaded. For this, a front spring 14 is installed on the chassis under the front of platform 8, and a rear spring is installed under its rear part 15. The forces of the springs 14, 15 are balanced, so that the platform 8 is initially in a horizontal position or, in other words, runs parallel to the chassis plate 2 . There are other options for damping platform 8, obvious to a specialist and therefore not shown in the drawings. For example, under the front and rear parts of the platform can be installed not springs, but hydraulic shock absorbers. It is also possible that one single spring is integrated in the hinge for damping the swing both forward and backward. Damping means serve for a softer swing, as well as in order to create a force when tilting the platform, returning it to its original horizontal position.

In the proposed embodiment, each of the rear wheels 6 contains a ratchet mechanism that prevents the rotation of the wheel back. The ratchet mechanism, which itself is well known, is not the subject of the present invention and is not shown in the drawings, is integrated into the wheel hub. The ratchet mechanism serves for more effective repulsion when moving with classic skiing.

The platform 8 is associated with a brake configured to brake the rear wheel axle. More specifically, in the rear part of the platform 8, brake rods 16 are placed on its lateral sides, each of which protrudes laterally from the platform 8 and is arranged to engage with the rear wheel 6 when the platform is swung back, as shown in FIG. 4. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that a brake does not have to contain brake rods. For braking, it is possible to use brake elements of a different form, as well as any known brake mechanism, which is actuated by swinging the platform back.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wheels 5, 6 are closed by a smooth guard 17 extending around the perimeter of the ski rollers and preventing the ski rollers from catching each other while riding. In FIG. 5, the platform 8 and the hinge 7 located below it and the springs 14 and 15 are not shown for clarity. In the remaining drawings, the fence 17 is not shown for clarity.

When skiing, the user moves with a classic ski course, i.e. rolls forward, taking steps. When making a step, the foot of the retracted pushing leg is tipped back by the user on the hinge 7. Thus, the turn of the foot necessary for walking is performed not on the metatarsophalangeal joint, but on the hinge 7, as a result of which the bending of the foot and increased load on the metatarsophalangeal joints are prevented.

To stop when riding, the user transfers the weight back; while the platform 8 is swinging back, and the brake rods 16 enter into interaction with the rear wheel 6, which leads to braking. Similarly, braking occurs if a user who is standing motionless or rolling forward slopes forward and loses his balance and swings backward. If the user loses balance and swings forward, platform 8 will swivel forward and rest against the surface of the chassis 1, creating support for the user, while the rigidly fixed heel will allow him to restore balance.

Thus, the proposed ski rollers provide the user with the ability to move in a classic ski course with the prevention of foot bending and increased load on the metatarsophalangeal joints, and also have increased stability, which allows them to be used by older people or those who suffer from disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Designations of elements in the drawings

1: Chassis

2: Chassis plate

3: Front axle

4: rear wheel axle

5: front wheels

6: rear wheels

7: Hinge

8: Platform

9: lower eye

10: Bottom eye hole

11: articulated axis

12: Upper Eye

13: Excavation of the upper eye

14: front spring

15: rear spring

16: Brake rods

17: Fencing

Claims (7)

1. Roller skis containing each chassis (1) on wheels (5, 6) located on the front and rear wheel axles (3, 4), and a platform mounted on the chassis (8) with a foot mount that can be fixed on the platform (8) of the user's foot, the platform (8) connected to the brake (16) configured to brake the rear wheel axle (4), characterized in that the platform (8) is mounted with the possibility of swinging forward and backward on the hinge (7) located between the wheel axles (3, 4). 2. Roller skis according to claim 1, in which the number of wheels (6) on the rear wheel axle (4) is equal to two. 3. Roller skis according to claim 1, in which the number of wheels on the front wheel axle is two. 4. Roller skis according to claim 1, in which the platform is equipped with damping means. 5. Roller skis according to claim 1, in which at least one of the wheels contains a ratchet mechanism that prevents the rotation of the wheel backward. 6. Roller skis according to claim 1, which are equipped with hand sticks for repulsion. 7. Skiers according to claim 1, in which the wheels are closed with a smooth guard.

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